Let’s delve into how AI is revolutionising online slot gaming in the UK and what this means for both players and developers.

AI integration in slot machine development

The development of slot machines has come a long way from their mechanical beginnings to the sophisticated digital versions we see today. AI is at the forefront of this evolution, significantly enhancing the creation and functionality of these games.

Enhanced game design

AI enables developers to create more dynamic and visually appealing games. By analysing vast amounts of player data, AI can generate themes, graphics, and narratives that are tailored to the preferences of different player demographics. This means that games can be more immersive and engaging, drawing players into captivating storylines and visually stunning environments that are continually evolving based on player interactions.

Adaptive gameplay

One of the most exciting applications of AI in slot machine development is the ability to adjust gameplay in real-time. AI algorithms monitor player behaviour and adapt the difficulty and features of the game accordingly. For example, if a player is struggling, the game might become slightly easier to keep them engaged, or if a player is doing exceptionally well, the game might present more challenges to maintain excitement. This adaptive gameplay ensures that players remain interested and challenged, providing a more satisfying gaming experience.

Personalised player experience

Personalisation is a key aspect of modern online gaming, and AI is instrumental in delivering a customised experience for each player.

Machine learning for player insights

AI uses machine learning to analyse player behaviour and preferences, allowing for highly personalised game suggestions and promotional offers. By understanding what types of games a player enjoys and how they like to play, AI can recommend new games or bonuses that are most likely to appeal to them. This level of personalisation enhances the player’s experience and increases their engagement with the platform.

Customised in-game experience

Beyond recommendations, AI also customises the gameplay itself. For instance, AI can adjust game mechanics, such as bonus frequencies and difficulty levels, based on individual player data. This means that each gaming session is unique and tailored to the player’s specific preferences, making the gaming experience more enjoyable and engaging.

Enhancing security and fairness

Security and fairness are critical components of online gaming, and AI plays a significant role in ensuring both.

Fraud detection and prevention

AI is highly effective in identifying and preventing fraudulent activities. By continuously monitoring player behavior and transaction patterns, AI can detect anomalies that may indicate fraudulent actions. When such activities are detected, AI can intervene in real-time to prevent losses and protect players and operators alike. This capability is crucial for maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of online gaming platforms.

Ensuring fair play

Ensuring fair play is paramount in online gaming, and AI enhances this by maintaining the integrity of random number generators (RNG). AI algorithms ensure that the outcomes of slot games are truly random and free from manipulation. This transparency is essential for player trust, as it guarantees that every player has an equal chance of winning based on luck, without any external interference.

AI’s role in responsible gambling

AI is also a powerful tool in promoting responsible gambling practices, helping to mitigate the risks associated with gambling addiction.

Predictive analytics for problem gambling

AI can analyse playing patterns to identify behaviours that may indicate problem gambling. By using predictive analytics, AI can spot early signs of addiction, such as excessive spending or extended gaming sessions. This allows gaming platforms to intervene proactively, offering support and resources to players who may be at risk.

Intervention strategies

Once potential problem gambling behavior is identified, AI can implement intervention strategies. This might include sending notifications to players about their gaming habits, providing self-assessment tools, or limiting the amount of time and money a player can spend on the platform. These strategies are designed to help players maintain a healthy relationship with gambling and prevent the escalation of problematic behaviours.

Future prospects

Looking ahead, the potential of AI in the online slot gaming industry is immense. As AI technology continues to advance, we can expect even more sophisticated and personalised gaming experiences. AI-driven innovation will likely lead to entirely new types of games that we cannot yet imagine, offering unparalleled levels of engagement and excitement.

AI is revolutionising the online slot gaming industry in the UK, offering enhanced game design, personalised player experiences, improved security, and responsible gambling measures. As the technology continues to evolve, the future of online slot gaming looks incredibly promising, with AI playing a pivotal role in shaping this exciting landscape. For players and developers alike, the integration of AI presents endless possibilities for innovation and improvement in the world of online gaming.

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Artificial intelligence (AI), once thought to be the exclusive domain of big cities and tech hubs, is making its way to the furthest corners of rural Ireland, empowering locals with cutting-edge tools to boost their businesses and preserve their traditional crafts.

It is all part of Microsoft’s ambitious ‘Skill Up Ireland’ initiative, which aims to provide every person in Ireland with the opportunity to learn AI skills. The program has partnered with the Irish government and various organisations to deliver AI training and resources to communities across the country, leaving no one behind in the era of rapid technological advancement.

One recent beneficiary of this program is Andrew Murray, the general manager of the 22-room Doonmore Hotel on Inishbofin. A native of the island, Murray comes from a family that has lived on Inishbofin for generations, with his parents founding the hotel in 1969. Despite the remote location, Murray is eager to embrace AI as a tool to streamline his operations and save time.

“What I’m interested in the most is the power of AI to save time for people like me,” Murray said. “Because time is the most precious thing we have, and it’s finite. There are only 24 hours in a day.”

Through an AI introduction class, Murray discovered the possibilities of tools such as Microsoft Copilot, an AI-powered assistant for everything from scheduling to data analysis to creating content. He intends to use these tools to oversee things like scheduling staff and inventory management as well as invoicing and pricing – tasks that he has normally spent hours, if not days, doing completely manually.

But Murray is not alone in his enthusiasm for AI on Inishbofin. Catherine O’Connor, a weaver who draws inspiration from the island’s natural colors and textures, has also embraced the technology. Initially wary of the AI training, O’Connor quickly became “absorbed by it” once she realised its potential to help her market her handmade scarves, table runners, and wall hangings.

“Every piece has a story behind it,” O’Connor explained. “You can get a scarf at the five-and-dime store, but a handmade scarf takes hours and hours to make. It’s a totally different level. So you have to find the right words to use.”

Now, with the help of Copilot, O’Connor can write engaging descriptions of her creations for marketing her craft on a proper e-commerce platform and help people understand her work more accurately and visualise the creation.

Another Copilot user, Inishbofin-based florist Patricia Concannon, plans to also use Copilot to make her website and Instagram captions more engaging which should prove useful in helping her reach new customers and attracting a wider audience for her floral displays.

The AI training on Inishbofin is just one element of Microsoft’s wider ‘Skill Up Ireland’ programme aimed at upskill and reskill over in Ireland, which includes Dream Space, an immersive learning experience to introduce STEM and AI skills to every one of the country’s one million students and their teachers.

Kevin Marshall, head of Learning & Skills for Microsoft Ireland, said the rapid growth in the prevalence of AI in the last few years has necessitated upskilling and reskilling programmes. He continued: “At the same time, with the explosion of generative AI in the last 18 months, there’s a real need to educate people on what this is, to show them that it’s not black magic.

The challenge, however, lies in the ever-evolving nature of AI technology. “The teaching is non-invasive, it’s collaborative,” Marshall explained. “The programs teach the basic foundations and core principles of AI. Here’s what it can do. Here are the risks and the ethical issues. Here are the opportunities. And here’s where you go play with it.”

Programmes like ‘Skill Up Ireland’ are an opportunity for rural communities like Inishbofin not to be left behind through the digital divide as AI significantly impacts industries and the way that we live and work. Audrey Murray, a felt artist and teaching assistant on the island, summed it up: “AI has to be another step, I suppose, bringing us closer to the world and bringing the world here.”

And with Microsoft’s promise of creating AI skills for all in Ireland, the remote extremities of the Emerald Isle are on the brink of being catapulted into the future, when the very latest technologies are melded with ancient skills and lifeways. Meanwhile, for the inhabitants of Inishbofin, the opportunities are yet to reveal themselves.

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including Intelligent Automation Conference, BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.

Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.

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Many games are being totally revolutionised by AI stepping onto the scene, so let’s get into the nitty-gritty of which games are changing, what’s happening, and how AI is leaving its footprint on this world of online casino games!

Personalisation in the slots

First up: personalisation. AI really shines when it comes to personalising the slots, because an AI can analyse each player’s individual behaviour and start tailoring what the game shows to match. Imagine you’re playing at your favourite slot, and you get a bunch of free spins come up – but none of them are quite what you wanted and they’re just not doing it for you today. We all know that feeling of disappointment… and honestly, it gets directed at the company, because why don’t they know you better than that? Isn’t marketing meant to be good these days?

Well, AI is changing all that and cutting the frustration that comes with it! It is capable of tracking what bonuses you use and what games you play (and even when and how you play them), and that means that suddenly, casinos can offer much more tailored options when you’re playing on the slots. Free spins for your favourite game ever, just as you sit down to relax on a Friday night? Yes, that’s much more likely now! 

Personalised bonus games? These are also creeping onto the scene, along with game features that are specifically honed to tick your “like” box and give you the best possible gaming experience. And it’s only because of AI that this is becoming possible – sure, casinos tried to offer this kind of personalisation in the past, but it was simply too much for humans to manage.

Of course, you must have been playing the slots for a while for this to work; the AI is dependent on having historical data of how you play and when you play to bring up these offers. The longer you’ve been playing and the more consistent your patterns are, the better the AI will be able to come up with offers that are perfect for you. As this system improves, maybe we’ll see slots that are completely unique for each individual – it could happen! And as AI becomes increasingly accepted and legislation is put into place for it, we’re going to see more and more innovation in this space.

Learning about bluffing in poker

How do you teach a computer to bluff? We’re not going to pretend it’s easy; it’s proven a major challenge for those building AIs, getting a computer to mimic a human’s ability to deceive other players. However, we’re pretty much there, and AIs can now be incorporated into the online world of poker – one of the most popular casino games on the planet.

So, first off, they have created an AI that’s good at poker; there’s been major progress in advancing how the absolute best AI can play, and it’s doing well. However, that’s not actually enough for casinos: they don’t want an AI that can beat human players every time, because who would ever play against that? They need an AI that can understand nuance, make mistakes occasionally, and lose – but in convincing ways that are still satisfying to play against. Now that’s a real challenge!

But if they’re successful, there’s going to be big rewards: some people would much rather play against a computer than other humans, provided the computer makes a satisfying opponent. This is likely to be an ongoing process as the AIs master how to play in each context, but it already looks promising to us! Of course, there are wary about teaching computers how to lie effectively… after all, sci-fi books and films have shown us exactly why that could be a bad idea. For the casino industry, though, it’s looking tantalising. 

Conclusion

AI isn’t “big” in most casino games yet, because it hasn’t had time to infiltrate them… but we’re likely to see it edging in from the fringes and changing more and more things about how we play and enjoy games online as the years come. It’s overly exciting to imagine how it might revolutionise classic games like poker, blackjack, roulette, the slots, and more. However, we’re just going to have to “wait and see” here, because AI is only just unfolding its metaphorical wings and starting to flap.

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Project P.I. leverages generative AI and computer vision technologies to detect issues such as damaged products or incorrect colours and sizes before they reach customers. The AI model not only identifies defects but also helps uncover the root causes, enabling Amazon to implement preventative measures upstream. This system has proven highly effective in the sites where it has been deployed, accurately identifying product issues among the vast number of items processed each month.

Before any item is dispatched, it passes through an imaging tunnel where Project P.I. evaluates its condition. If a defect is detected, the item is isolated and further investigated to determine if similar products are affected.

Amazon associates review the flagged items and decide whether to resell them at a discount via Amazon’s Second Chance site, donate them, or find alternative uses. This technology aims to act as an extra pair of eyes, enhancing manual inspections at several North American fulfilment centres, with plans for expansion throughout 2024.

Dharmesh Mehta, Amazon’s VP of Worldwide Selling Partner Services, said: “We want to get the experience right for customers every time they shop in our store.

“By leveraging AI and product imaging within our operations facilities, we are able to efficiently detect potentially damaged products and address more of those issues before they ever reach a customer, which is a win for the customer, our selling partners, and the environment.”

Project P.I. also plays a crucial role in Amazon’s sustainability initiatives. By preventing damaged or defective items from reaching customers, the system helps reduce unwanted returns, wasted packaging, and unnecessary carbon emissions from additional transportation.

Kara Hurst, Amazon’s VP of Worldwide Sustainability, commented: “AI is helping Amazon ensure that we’re not just delighting customers with high-quality items, but we’re extending that customer obsession to our sustainability work by preventing less-than-perfect items from leaving our facilities, and helping us avoid unnecessary carbon emissions due to transportation, packaging, and other steps in the returns process.”

In parallel, Amazon is utilising a generative AI system equipped with a Multi-Modal LLM (MLLM) to investigate the root causes of negative customer experiences.

When defects reported by customers slip through initial checks, this system reviews customer feedback and analyses images from fulfilment centres to understand what went wrong. For example, if a customer receives the wrong size of a product, the system examines the product labels in fulfilment centre images to pinpoint the error.

This technology is also beneficial for Amazon’s selling partners, especially the small and medium-sized businesses that make up over 60% of Amazon’s sales. By making defect data more accessible, Amazon helps these sellers rectify issues quickly and reduce future errors.

(Photo by Andrew Stickelman)

See also: X now permits AI-generated adult content

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including Intelligent Automation Conference, BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.

Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.

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Can you tell us a little bit about Atera and what it does?

We launched the Atera all-in-one platform for IT management in 2016, so quite a few years ago. And it’s very broad. It’s everything from technical things like patching and security to ongoing support, alerts, automations, ticket management, reports, and analytics, etc. 

Atera is a single platform that manages all your IT in a single pane of glass. The power of it – and we’re the only company that does this – is it’s a single codebase and single database for all of that. The alternative, for many years now, has been to buy four or five different products, and have them all somehow connected, which is usually very difficult. 

Here, the fact is it’s a single codebase and a single database. Everything is connected and streamlined and very intuitive. So, in essence, you sign up or start a trial and within five minutes, you’re already running with it and onboarding. It’s that intuitive.

We have 12,000+ customers in 120 countries around the world. The UK is our second-largest country in terms of business, currently. The US is the first, but the UK is right behind them.

What are the latest trends you’re seeing develop in AI this year?

From the start, we’ve been dedicated to integrating AI into our company’s DNA. Our goal has always been to use data to identify problems and alert humans so they can fix or avoid issues. Initially, we focused on leveraging data to provide solutions.

Over the past nine years, we’ve aimed to let AI handle mundane IT tasks, freeing up professionals for more engaging work. With early access to Chat GPT and Open AI tools a year and a half ago, we’ve been pioneering a new trend we call Action AI.

Unlike generic Generative AI, which creates content like songs or emails, Action AI operates in the real world, interacting with hardware and software to perform tasks autonomously. Our AI can understand IT problems and resolve them on its own, moving beyond mere dialogue to real-world action.

Atera offers Copilot and Autopilot. Could you explain what these are?

Autopilot is autonomous. It understands a problem you might have on your computer. It’s a widget on your computer, and it will communicate with you and fix the problem autonomously. However, it has boundaries on what it’s allowed to fix and what it’s not allowed to fix. And everything it’s allowed to deal with has to be bulletproof. 100% secure or private. No opportunity to do any damage or anything like that. 

So if a ticket is opened up, or a complaint is raised, if it’s outside of these boundaries, it will then activate the Copilot. The Copilot augments the IT professional.

They’re both companions. The Autopilot is a companion that takes away password resets, printer issues, installs software, etc. – mundane and repetitive issues – and the Copilot is a companion that will help the IT professional deal with the issues they deal with on a day-to-day basis. And it has all kinds of different tools. 

The Copilot is very elaborate. If you have a problem, you can ask it and it will not only give you an answer like ChatGPT, but it will research and run all kinds of tests on the network, the computer, and the printer, and it will come to a conclusion, and create the action that is required to solve it. But it won’t solve it. It will still leave that to the IT professional to think about the different information and decide what they want to do. 

Copilot can save IT professionals nearly half of their workday. While it’s been tested in the field for some time, we’re excited to officially launch it now. Meanwhile, Autopilot is still in the beta phase.

What advice would you give to any companies that are thinking about integrating AI technologies into their business operations?

I strongly recommend that companies begin integrating AI technologies immediately, but it is crucial to research and select the right and secure generative AI tools. Incorporating AI offers numerous advantages: it automates routine tasks, enhances efficiency and productivity, improves accuracy by reducing human error, and speeds up problem resolution. That being said, it’s important to pick the right generative AI tool to help you reap the benefits without compromising on security. For example, with our collaboration with Microsoft, our customers’ data is secure—it stays within the system, and the AI doesn’t use it for training or expanding its database. This ensures safety while delivering substantial benefits.

Our incorporation of AI into our product focuses on two key aspects. First, your IT team no longer has to deal with mundane, frustrating tasks. Second, for end users, issues like non-working printers, forgotten passwords, or slow internet are resolved in seconds or minutes instead of hours. This provides a measurable and significant improvement in efficiency.

There are all kinds of AIs out there. Some of them are more beneficial, some are less. Some are just Chat GPT in disguise, and it’s a very thin layer. What we do literally changes the whole interaction with IT. And we know, when IT has a problem things stop working, and you stop working. Our solution ensures everything keeps running smoothly.

What can we expect from AI over the next few years?

AI is set to become significantly more intelligent and aware. One remarkable development is its growing ability to reason, predict, and understand data. This capability enables AI to foresee issues and autonomously resolve them, showcasing an astonishing level of reasoning.

We anticipate a dual advancement: a rapid acceleration in AI’s intelligence and a substantial enhancement in its empathetic interactions, as demonstrated in the latest OpenAI release. This evolution will transform how humans engage with AI.

Our work exemplifies this shift. When non-technical users interact with our software to solve problems, AI responds with a highly empathetic, human-like approach. Users feel as though they are speaking to a real IT professional, ensuring a seamless and comforting experience.

As AI continues to evolve, it will become increasingly powerful and capable. Recent breakthroughs in understanding AI’s mechanisms will not only enhance its functionality but also ensure its security and ethical use, reinforcing its role as a force for good.

What plans does Atera have for the next year?

We are excited to announce the upcoming launch of Autopilot, scheduled for release in a few months. While Copilot, our comprehensive suite of advanced tools designed specifically for IT professionals, has already been instrumental in enhancing efficiency and effectiveness, Autopilot represents the next significant advancement.

Currently in beta so whoever wants to try it already can, Autopilot directly interacts with end users, automating and resolving common IT issues that typically burden IT staff, such as password resets and printer malfunctions. By addressing these routine tasks, Autopilot allows IT professionals to focus on more strategic and rewarding activities, ultimately improving overall productivity and job satisfaction.

For more information, visit atera.com

Atera is a sponsor of TechEx North America 2024 on June 5-6 in Santa Clara, US. Visit the Atera team at booth 237 for a personalised demo, or to test your IT skills with the company’s first-of-kind AIT game, APOLLO IT, for a chance to win a prize.

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including Intelligent Automation Conference, BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.

Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.

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This is according to research from enterprise analytics AI firm Alteryx.

Since the release of ChatGPT by OpenAI in November 2022, there has been significant buzz about the transformative potential of generative AI, with many considering it one of the most revolutionary technologies of our time. 

With a significant 79% of organisations reporting that generative AI contributes positively to business, it is evident that a gap needs to be addressed to demonstrate AI’s value to consumers both in their personal and professional lives. According to the ‘Market Research: Attitudes and Adoption of Generative AI’ report, which surveyed 690 IT business leaders and 1,100 members of the general public in EMEA, key issues of trust, ethics and skills are prevalent, potentially impeding the successful deployment and broader acceptance of generative AI.

The impact of misinformation, inaccuracies, and AI hallucinations

These hallucinations – where AI generates incorrect or illogical outputs – are a significant concern. Trusting what generative AI produces is a substantial issue for both business leaders and consumers. Over a third of the public are anxious about AI’s potential to generate fake news (36%) and its misuse by hackers (42%), while half of the business leaders report grappling with misinformation produced by generative AI. Simultaneously, half of the business leaders have observed their organisations grappling with misinformation produced by generative AI.

Moreover, the reliability of information provided by generative AI has been questioned. Feedback from the general public indicates that half of the data received from AI was inaccurate, and 38% perceived it as outdated. On the business front, concerns include generative AI infringing on copyright or intellectual property rights (40%), and producing unexpected or unintended outputs (36%).

A critical trust issue for businesses (62%) and the public (74%) revolves around AI hallucinations. For businesses, the challenge involves applying generative AI to appropriate use cases, supported by the right technology and safety measures, to mitigate these concerns. Close to half of the consumers (45%) are advocating for regulatory measures on AI usage.

Ethical concerns and risks persist in the use of generative AI

In addition to these challenges, there are strong and similar sentiments on ethical concerns and the risks associated with generative AI among both business leaders and consumers. More than half of the general public (53%) oppose the use of generative AI in making ethical decisions. Meanwhile, 41% of business respondents are concerned about its application in critical decision-making areas. There are distinctions in the specific areas where its use is discouraged; consumers notably oppose its use in politics (46%), and businesses are cautious about its deployment in healthcare (40%).

These concerns find some validation in the research findings, which highlight worrying gaps in organisational practices. Only a third of leaders confirmed that their businesses ensure the data used to train generative AI is diverse and unbiased. Furthermore, only 36% have set ethical guidelines, and 52% have established data privacy and security policies for generative AI applications.

This lack of emphasis on data integrity and ethical considerations puts firms at risk. 63% of business leaders cite ethics as their major concern with generative AI, closely followed by data-related issues (62%). This scenario emphasises the importance of better governance to create confidence and mitigate risks related to how employees use generative AI in the workplace. 

The rise of generative AI skills and the need for enhanced data literacy

As generative AI evolves, establishing relevant skill sets and enhancing data literacy will be key to realising its full potential. Consumers are increasingly using generative AI technologies in various scenarios, including information retrieval, email communication, and skill acquisition. Business leaders claim they use generative AI for data analysis, cybersecurity, and customer support, and despite the success of pilot projects, challenges remain. Despite the reported success of experimental projects, several challenges remain, including security problems, data privacy issues, and output quality and reliability.

Trevor Schulze, Alteryx’s CIO, emphasised the necessity for both enterprises and the general public to fully understand the value of AI and address common concerns as they navigate the early stages of generative AI adoption.

He noted that addressing trust issues, ethical concerns, skills shortages, fears of privacy invasion, and algorithmic bias are critical tasks. Schulze underlined the necessity for enterprises to expedite their data journey, adopt robust governance, and allow non-technical individuals to access and analyse data safely and reliably, addressing privacy and bias concerns in order to genuinely profit from this ‘game-changing’ technology.

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including Intelligent Automation Conference, BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.

The post Ethical, trust and skill barriers hold back generative AI progress in EMEA appeared first on AI News.

A study from SS&C Blue Prism, conducted by Forrester Consulting and published in April, put together a composite organisation representative of five customers interviewed. The conclusion was that, over three years, there were key gains in IA from greater productivity to compliance cost avoidance, to improved employee experience and retention. This represented an overall net present value of $53.4 million (£42.5m) per customer.

Yet this may just be the tip of the iceberg. Dan Segura, enterprise sales manager at SS&C Blue Prism, notes one healthcare client who, in what is described as a conservative estimate, delivered savings of more than $140m overall on cost avoidance and recoup. Another healthcare client delivered a use case with a claimed $43m benefit on its own; a bot which recouped overtime pay for nurses and staff during the pandemic.

“They built it in an afternoon,” Segura explains. “It’s a perfect example of being in the right place at the right time; and having the right skills and technology being ready.”

Many of the technologies which comprise intelligent automation have been around for a long time, such as classic RPA (robotic process automation) or OCR (optical character recognition). SS&C Blue Prism’s document automation, which forms part of the latter, is described as a ‘game-changer’ by Segura. “There’s a lot of these processes, whether it’s going to be executed by a robot or a human,” he says. “First things first, we’ve got to get data off documents.

“Automation is not just doing simple tasks anymore thanks to the introduction of AI and generative AI” he adds. “There’s now more understanding, whether it’s assessing information from documents, information from a message, structuring things that are semi-structured or unstructured, to drive the process or complete the process.”

Segura describes wider business process management (BPM) and process orchestration tool Chorus, meanwhile, as ‘one of the world’s best kept secrets.’ Or, at least, it was; in November analyst Everest Group named the tool as a leader and star performer in its Process Orchestration Products PEAK Matrix.

The tool is now getting leverage outside the traditional finance and insurance fields. “It is how millions and millions of transactions and pieces of work are getting done every day,” says Segura. “We’re now seeing adoption [elsewhere] alongside automation to orchestrate their work and give them that end-to-end work orchestration, visibility, and efficiency gains with whatever they have going on.”

So how does a use case come to life? It is often a mixture of inspiration and perspiration. Where SS&C Blue Prism comes in is to ‘help customers catch lightning’, as Segura puts it. “We’ve all been in that situation where it’s like ‘oh if I were running this place, here’s what I would do’,” he says. “Intelligent automation gives you the opportunity to reimagine your processes and transform how you get work done. Once that light switch turns on, and the initial use case is built, that’s really the secret sauce of SS&C Blue Prism; it’s that realisation and awareness of what intelligent automation can deliver.

“We’re always learning from our customers,” adds Segura. “It’s at their direction because they know their business and processes better than anybody. Combine their business expertise with the transformational power of intelligent automation and its digital workforce, then that’s where the magic happens.”

Any organisation, argues Segura, regardless of the industry, has change agents and citizen builders in waiting. Don’t think that’s a misnomer; the term is definitely ‘builder’.

“I hear about these citizen developer programmes, and they’ll say, ‘here we have 500, 1000 citizen developers.’ What I don’t hear is, ‘and with this army of citizen developers we’ve achieved this’,” says Segura. “Whereas I have customers where two people have basically become citizen builders with more of a robust type of approach.” The $43m healthcare single use case is a case in point. “It is the whole mantra of SS&C Blue Prism,” adds Segura. “We’re designed to go after those higher value chain automations that can have a tangible impact on some of the company’s key objectives.”

So, you have the idea, the value proposition, and the capability to build it out. How do you make it stick?  Every organisation is different; though if your company has a continuous process improvement department then that can be a good place to start. Segura likens it to offshoring processes. “You don’t just wave it goodbye and never think about it again,” he explains. “At the end of the day, it still has to function.

“You’re not just ‘digital-shoring’ [automation] and it will essentially be taken care of by digital. Someone has to continuously improve the process; someone has to mind when something changes with the business rules or regulatory compliance; somebody has to be responsible for making sure that those changes are kept up in an agile way.”

SS&C Blue Prism has a longstanding, large US retail customer that combines that lightning capture with the right internal culture around automation. This is a company that has 72,000 employees, as well as 60 ‘digital workers’ executing more than 150 automations. One such automation, through using OCR technology, lets the company automate the processing of inbound customer orders received by digital fax.

The overall result is 6.2 million transactions processed to date, and 250,000 hours of work returned to the business. But there is one extra ingredient required, particularly for a big company: discipline.

“It took them a while to get to that point in maturity,” explains Segura. “They do have a very central function when it comes to the intelligent automation team, [but] keep in mind one of those processes is in supply chain. That process is regularly reviewing 4.2 million purchase orders; it’s minding 50 million inventory case volume; it’s going through two million SKUs for 8000 suppliers.

“This is highly iterative, but it’s that process of having that lightning rod to capture the requirements and give people who are not necessarily technical a platform and a methodology to iterate very closely with the intelligent automation team,” adds Segura.

Think of what SS&C Blue Prism does therefore as providing a superhero cape for those who don’t otherwise get the chance to step into the limelight. It is a message the company will look to broadcast at the Intelligent Automation event in Santa Clara on 5-6 June.

“SS&C Blue Prism opens up that door to enable your citizen builders really make an impact and deliver strategic benefits to the company,” says Segura. “You’re not just playing with a pilot, not just fooling around with something; you’re really getting into the strategic objectives of the company.”

Photo by Tara Winstead

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including Intelligent Automation Conference, BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.

The post The rise of intelligent automation as a strategic differentiator appeared first on AI News.

Ahead of AI & Big Data Expo North America – where the company will showcase its expertise – Chuck Ros, Industry Success Director at SoftServe, provided valuable insights into the company’s AI initiatives, the challenges faced, and its future strategy for leveraging this powerful technology.

Highlighting a recent AI project that exemplifies SoftServe’s innovative approach, Ros discussed the company’s unique solution for a software company in the field service management industry. The vision was to create an easy-to-use, language model-enabled interface that would allow field technicians to access service histories, equipment documentation, and maintenance schedules seamlessly, enhancing productivity and operational efficiency.

“Our AI engineers built a prompt evaluation pipeline that seamlessly considers cost, processing time, semantic similarity, and the likelihood of hallucinations,” Ros explained. “It proved to be an extremely effective architecture that led to improved operational efficiencies for the customer, increased productivity for users in the field, competitive edge for the software company and for their clients, and—perhaps most importantly—a spark for additional innovation.”

While the potential of AI is undeniable, Ros acknowledged the key mistakes businesses often make when deploying AI solutions, emphasising the importance of having a robust data strategy, building adequate data pipelines, and thoroughly testing the models. He also cautioned against rushing to deploy generative AI solutions without properly assessing feasibility and business viability, stating, “We need to pay at least as much attention to whether it should be built as we do to whether it can be built.”

Recognising the critical concern of ethical AI development, Ros stressed the significance of human oversight throughout the entire process. “Managing dynamic data quality, testing and detecting for bias and inaccuracies, ensuring high standards of data privacy, and ethical use of AI systems all require human oversight,” he said. SoftServe’s approach to AI development involves structured engagements that evaluate data and algorithms for suitability, assess potential risks, and implement governance measures to ensure accountability and data traceability.

Looking ahead, Ros envisions AI playing an increasingly vital role in SoftServe’s business strategy, with ongoing refinements to AI-assisted software development lifecycles and the introduction of new tools and processes to boost productivity further. Softserve’s findings suggest that GenAI can accelerate programming productivity by as much as 40 percent.

“I see more models assisting us on a daily basis, helping us write emails and documentation and helping us more and more with the simple, time-consuming mundane tasks we still do,” Ros said. “In the next five years I see ongoing refinement of that view to AI in SDLCs and the regular introduction of new tools, new models, new processes that push that 40 percent productivity hike to 50 percent and 60 percent.”

When asked how SoftServe is leveraging AI for social good, Ros explained the company is delivering solutions ranging from machine learning models to help students discover their passions and aptitudes, enabling personalised learning experiences, to assisting teachers in their daily tasks and making their jobs easier.

“I love this question because one of SoftServe’s key strategic tenets is to power our social purpose and make the world a better place. It’s obviously an ambitious goal, but it’s important to our employees and it’s important to our clients,” explained Ros.

“It’s why we created the Open Eyes Foundation and have collected more than $15 million with the support of the public, our clients, our partners, and of course our employees. We naturally support the Open Eyes Foundation with all manner of technology needs, including AI.”

At the AI & Big Data Expo North America, SoftServe plans to host a keynote presentation titled “Revolutionizing Learning: Unleashing the Power of Generative AI in Education and Beyond,” which will explore the transformative impact of generative AI and large language models in the education sector.

“As we explore the mechanisms through which generative AI leverages data – including training methodologies like fine-tuning and Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) – we will pinpoint high-value, low-risk applications that promise to redefine the educational landscape,” said Ros.

“The journey from a nascent idea to a fully operational AI solution is fraught with challenges, including ethical considerations and risks inherent in deploying AI solutions. Through the lens of a success story at Mesquite ISD, where generative AI was leveraged to help students uncover their passions and aptitudes enabling the delivery of personalised learning experiences, this presentation will illustrate the practical benefits and transformative potential of generative AI in education.”

Additionally, the company will participate in panel discussions on topics such as “Getting to Production-Ready – Challenges and Best Practices for Deploying AI” and “Navigating the Data & AI Landscape – Ensuring Safety, Security, and Responsibility in Big Data and AI Systems.” These sessions will provide attendees with valuable insights from SoftServe’s experts on overcoming deployment challenges, ensuring data quality and user acceptance, and mitigating risks associated with AI implementation.

As a key sponsor of the event, SoftServe aims to contribute to the discourse surrounding the responsible and ethical development of AI solutions, while sharing its expertise and vision for leveraging this powerful technology to drive innovation, enhance productivity, and address global challenges. 

“We are, of course, always interested in both sharing and hearing about the diversity of business cases for applications in AI and big data: the concept of the rising tide lifting all boats is definitely relevant in AI and GenAI in particular, and we’re proud to be a part of the AI technology community,” Ros concludes.

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.

Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.

The post Chuck Ros, SoftServe: Delivering transformative AI solutions responsibly appeared first on AI News.

Through the deal, ChatGPT users will be able to see selected attributed summaries, quotes, and rich links to FT journalism in response to relevant queries. Additionally, the FT became a customer of ChatGPT Enterprise earlier this year, providing access for all employees to familiarise themselves with the technology and benefit from its potential productivity gains.

“This is an important agreement in a number of respects,” said John Ridding, FT Group CEO. “It recognises the value of our award-winning journalism and will give us early insights into how content is surfaced through AI.”

In 2023, technology companies faced numerous lawsuits and widespread criticism for allegedly using copyrighted material from artists and publishers to train their AI models without proper authorisation.

OpenAI, in particular, drew significant backlash for training its GPT models on data obtained from the internet without obtaining consent from the respective content creators. This issue escalated to the point where The New York Times filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft last year, accusing them of copyright infringement.

While emphasising the FT’s commitment to human journalism, Ridding noted the agreement would broaden the reach of its newsroom’s work while deepening the understanding of reader interests.

“Apart from the benefits to the FT, there are broader implications for the industry. It’s right, of course, that AI platforms pay publishers for the use of their material. OpenAI understands the importance of transparency, attribution, and compensation – all essential for us,” explained Ridding.

Earlier this month, The New York Times reported that OpenAI was utilising scripts from YouTube videos to train its AI models. According to the publication, this practice violates copyright laws, as content creators who upload videos to YouTube retain the copyright ownership of the material they produce.

However, OpenAI maintains that its use of online content falls under the fair use doctrine. The company, along with numerous other technology firms, argues that their large language models (LLMs) transform the information gathered from the internet into an entirely new and distinct creation.

In January, OpenAI asserted to a UK parliamentary committee that it would be “impossible” to develop today’s leading AI systems without using vast amounts of copyrighted data.

Brad Lightcap, COO of OpenAI, expressed his enthusiasm about the FT partnership: “Our partnership and ongoing dialogue with the FT is about finding creative and productive ways for AI to empower news organisations and journalists, and enrich the ChatGPT experience with real-time, world-class journalism for millions of people around the world.”

This agreement between OpenAI and the Financial Times is the most recent in a series of new collaborations that OpenAI has forged with major news publishers worldwide.

While the financial details of these contracts were not revealed, OpenAI’s recent partnerships with publishers will enable the company to continue training its algorithms on web content, but with the crucial difference being that it now has obtained the necessary permissions to do so.

Ridding said the FT values “the opportunity to be inside the development loop as people discover content in new ways.” He acknowledged the potential for significant advancements and challenges with transformative technologies like AI but emphasised, “what’s never possible is turning back time.”

“It’s important for us to represent quality journalism as these products take shape – with the appropriate safeguards in place to protect the FT’s content and brand,” Ridding added.

The FT has embraced new technologies throughout its history. “We’ll continue to operate with both curiosity and vigilance as we navigate this next wave of change,” Ridding concluded.

(Photo by Utsav Srestha)

See also: OpenAI faces complaint over fictional outputs

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.

Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.

The post FT and OpenAI ink partnership amid web scraping criticism appeared first on AI News.

Across the world, we’re seeing more and more efforts to ramp up AI and make the most of the talent seen in this space, but what effect is this having on how the world works and what we’re seeing? Casinos are an amazing example, so let’s jump in!

Better safety and security

We all think of online casinos as pretty safe places anyway – nobody’s going to be spending money at a casino they think is disreputable, after all. As long as you pick a reputable casino to play at? You’re not really going to need to worry too much about data theft or whether your financial details are safe… but many people still do. Fortunately, AI is ratcheting up the safety bar!

How? Well, one of AI’s biggest strengths lies in its amazing ability to keep an eye on what’s going on all the time, so it’s super-fast at detecting when something is wrong. If you’re not sure how that works, it basically watches users’ behaviour patterns, analyses how they are playing, notes any anomalies, tracks responses, and so much more, and all of that information means that it notices when something’s amiss – fast. That means it’s seriously swift and accurate when it comes to identifying fraudulent activity.

Casinos can put this to a very practical use: noticing if an individual’s account has been hacked or if they’re behaving in unusual ways that could indicate something is awry. This maximises the security and means that they can shut down fraud fast when it’s occurring – making everyone who chooses to use these sites safer than ever before. Better online security practices? We say: yes, please!

Of course, you should still couple that with choosing reputable, high-end casinos, so you know they’re making the most of security options. Sites like https://thunderpick.io/esports are known for providing top-notch, secure games to their customers, and the whole platform is designed to maximise consumer safety – meaning you’ve got nothing to worry about while you play, and you can focus on taking home a win!

Enhanced rewards for players everywhere

Ever had an offer pop up that looks like it would be amazing, but it’s just not right for you? Maybe for a game that you don’t play, or limited to a timeframe that you can’t utilise? Those are almost worse than not getting an offer – you feel like you’re missing out and it’s frustrating and disappointing. We know the feeling; who hasn’t been there? And up to now, although casinos have done their best to avoid this happening, it does crop up – it’s just not avoidable when you’re working with limited datasets and humans.

However, AI is changing that; it’s capable of analysing vast amounts of data, which means it’s much better at identifying what players want and when they want it. The AI monitors the way you play, the times you play, the games you choose, the offers you utilise, and so much more – and then it takes all that information and turns it into something actually useful: offers tailored to your interests and playing style, which you can use to enhance your casino fun.

That works in the casinos’ favor too; they’re more likely to see loyal players, because they’ll be offering the best, most focused deals for that player, based on their previous gameplay. That means they’ll have more repeat customers, and they’ll be able to better meet their needs, enhancing customer satisfaction. It seems like everyone wins here!

And if you’re a fan of games that have in-game purchases? AI might be able to ensure you’re offered better, more tailored deals there too, meaning you get the very best for your money. Who’s going to say no to that?

Better games

Another area of enhancement? It lies in the games themselves: AI is already being used to improve the games that exist, but it’s also being utilised in the creation of brand-new games. We’re seeing more and more developers make use of AI to enhance the games they’ve built, offering enhanced graphics, more balanced challenges, increased fairness, and a whole lot more.

The future of game development looks bright with these tools available to developers everywhere, and as AI gets ever-better, the options are only going to increase and diversify, allowing for some truly incredible releases. We see great promise on the gaming horizon!

The potential is therefore clear; we see AI having a vast number of applications in making casino games even more enjoyable and increasing the number of players interested in engaging in the digital space. As online casinos grow year on year, it’s no surprise they’re looking for more ways to attract and captivate the players – and AI offers many avenues for doing just that.

The post How AI is making online casinos safer than ever before appeared first on AI News.